Although I've dropped a phone a total of about three times in my life, and although manufacturers are continually touting more and more durable glass, polycarbonate plastic, and even metal that's 3x stronger than stainless steel, there lingers in the back of my mind the question of what may happen if and when that fateful day comes – the day when I finally drop my phone onto an unforgiving concrete, asphalt, or otherwise hard surface. Looking to calm the fears of high-end device users everywhere, Seidio created their signature Surface, Active and Convert Combo cases.

I recently got my hands on a set of cases for my new EVO LTE, a device that (despite its quirks) is certainly worth protecting.

After living with the cases for a while, I've learned a few things – first, Seidio has covered the full spectrum of protection from super light and compact to ultra-durable monster case that would keep your EVO unscathed through a hurricane. Second, no kickstand that you will find on a (Seidio, but arguably any) protective case will beat the one that comes built into the EVO. Third, a selection of colors can make a surprising difference in the appeal of a given case when heavy protection is not a concern.

That having been said, let's take a closer look at Seidio's Surface, Active, and Convert Combo cases for the EVO LTE.

Surface

Seidio's Surface Case for the EVO LTE not only has the lowest profile when applied to your device, but is arguably the most attractive case of the set. Available in black, royal blue, garnet red, glossy white, or amethyst, users have a wide choice of colors, and the case itself adds relatively minimal bulk to the EVO's svelte form. As is usual for Seidio's Surface cases, this one comes in two pieces made of rubberized plastic (which has a sumptuous soft-touch finish) that snap together at about the level where Sense users would see the first row of home screen icons. The case has a fuzzy lining, ensuring that your device won't suffer any wear from the case itself.

Besides its relatively slim form factor, the Surface case wins points for its convenient kickstand cutout around back. Having access to the EVO's built-in kickstand is a major plus, since it does a much better job than the kickstand featured in Seidio's Active case (more on that later).

The only issue I have with this case is its external buttons. The power button and volume rocker are pressed with a semi-cutout case button. The fact that only half of each button is fully cut out, however, can make it difficult to turn up the volume, and makes the power button feel awkward and unbalanced. As for the camera button, I can only tell I'm pressing it when I see the on-screen image focus or snap. These are minor complaints, but ones that could easily be addressed nonetheless.

Overall, Seidio's Surface case is a great option for those that want sturdy protection from minor falls and bumps but don't want a lot of extra bulk. Those interested in sturdy yet unobtrusive protection for their EVO LTE can pick up a Surface case for $29.95 at Seidio's online store here.

Active

I want to say that Seidio's Active case with metal kickstand for the EVO LTE is great, but I have one problem with it. The Active case maintains a somewhat slender profile, feels great in the hand, and is free of the hard-plastic button-pressing problems its Surface counterpart suffers.

That being said, it covers up the EVO's kickstand in favor of Seidio's own built-in stand. That's my major problem with this case not because the kickstand is actively impeding the protection of my device, but because it's extremely flimsy, and frankly can't hold a candle to the EVO's own stand.

The case's kickstand is kept close to the case with a small magnet, but once pulled out the stand wobbles from side to side and generally doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. Fans of the fact that the EVO's kickstand can support the device in either direction can forget trying to balance their device "upside down" with Seidio's kickstand.

Of course, Seidio also offers a variant of the case that does offer access to the EVO's kickstand rather than providing its own, so those who aren't a fan of Seidio's kickstand have another option.

Otherwise the case is alright. As mentioned, its soft rubber core and rubberized plastic shell – while they are dust/lint magnets – are extremely comfortable to hold, and the addition of several millimeters to your EVO's svelte profile is a fair compromise for dependable protection.

It's worth noting that the Active case is only available in black at the time of writing at Seidio's online store (which lists other color options as "coming soon"). Amazon, however, has all the kickstand-wielding case's colors available with a simple search.

Convert Combo

Putting your EVO LTE into the Convert Combo case (which is actually an assembly of 3 pieces plus a swiveling holster) is kind of like wrapping it in a bullet-proof vest. While I haven't done any ballistics tests the Convert Combo, it is probably the most substantial protective case I've ever used.

The assembly itself is essentially a combination (hence the name) of the Surface and Active cases that fits backside-out into a large, swiveling belt holster. Adding an extra touch of ruggedness to the Active component of the assembly, the Convert Combo has rubber flaps covering the EVO's microUSB port and camera/flash. On one hand, I see the camera cover as a great idea – it ensures that literally no part of your device but the screen is ever exposed unless you want it to be. On the other hand, it's a little inconvenient to open the rubber flap to snap a photo – it essentially kills the photo-taking speed of the EVO LTE.

That being said, the Convert Combo is undeniably a beastly protective assembly, and I could imagine it being indispensible to those who find themselves working construction during a rock slide. Additionally, despite the number of components that make up the case, it doesn't look (or feel) ridiculously huge. Taking protection an extra step, Seidio includes a crystal clear Ultimate Screen Guard with the Convert Combo, which itself sells for ~$10. At $49.95 from Seidio's online store, the Convert Combo isn't cheap, but it isn't too expensive either, considering the protection it offers your device.

Final Thoughts

If I had to pick one case for my EVO to live with in the long term, it would without a doubt be Seidio's Surface case. The Surface is compact, durable, and unobtrusive. It protects the device, but allows users to take full advantage of the EVO's own kickstand and has a minimal impact on the device's form. Plus, it's already available in several colors.

Next, of course, would be the Active case, though it seems to provide no tangible benefits over the Surface case besides enhanced protection.

The Convert Combo is clearly tailored for a specific audience of users who want the ultimate protection for their devices, without compromising bulk to save the EVO's sleek form factor.

In the end, all three are great offerings and should be able to protect your EVO LTE with ease. To see all of Seidio's cases (as well as holsters, screenguards, and various combo packs), just head over to their online store here.

Comments

Fifth313ment

I have Seidio's Surface case for my EVO LTE, but under the Best Buy Platinum brand which is the same case for less money! The Seidio's Surface case is $49.95 and you have to pay for shipping still while you can pick up the same case sans the Seidio branding, aka Platinum, at Best Buy for just $34.99. And you can pick up the Platinum case at Best Buy instantly or online. You'll have to pay taxes but it still works out to be faster and cheaper than the Seidio.com version. Best Buy also has the same multiple colors as Seidio.com. Both cases are great but the Surface is the best for small drops and bumps without completely making the phone too big! I bought mine at Best Buy along with a Zagg Invisible Shield HD screen protector for the EVO LTE for just like $45 for both as Best Buy was running a deal if you buy 2 out of 3 accessories. Amazing deal but I would have paid $100 for both as you'll read below!

I have an older Platinum Surface (Seidio) case and Zagg screen protector on my OG EVO and they've kept my phone in mint condition, even two+ years later! However the older Zagg screen protectors had a rubbery touch to them, which the new "HD" versions do not. The new HD models feel like glass and I can't even tell it's on! They still sell the old version for the EVO LTE so be sure you get the one with the "HD" on the box as it feels like nothing is on my screen! It's a little more expensive, $25.99 vs $20.99 at Best Buy, but it's worth it! Also I had bought a cheaper screen protector on another online site for my EVO LTE and there is no comparison, pure crap! Most cheapy screen protectors are missing the cut out for the proximity sensor and can yellow or distort the beautiful screen! The $3 amazon screen protectors are NOT worth it!

As for my OG EVO, older Zagg screen protector and original Platinum Surface (Seidio) case the Zagg screen protector is beaten up and has a few scratches, also bubbles but the screen underneath is pristine! And the Platinum Surface (Seidio) case is also a little beaten up with a few chips and nics on both the case and holster. The cases' rubbery material has come off a bit where I held the phone the most but the springs that hold the phone in the holster and the holster to my cloths, are both tight and strong even after two years of at least 30+ open/close cycles a day! Amazing!

My new EVO LTE has its Zagg HD screen protector on it, with the Platinum Surface (Seidio) case and people still can't believe how thin it is and how large and bright the screen is! And I have the self-assurance to know that both the case and screen protector will be keeping my EVO LTE safe for at least two years and if I happen to drop my device it will be safe and sound (God Willing)!

Oh just a quick note I had tried to buy Seidio's Surface Case from their website but I wanted to receive the case before my phone and they didn't have them available yet. They only had preorder and I went to my local Best Buy and they had them in stock so that is why I bought them there. Then the phone was delayed so it didn't matter but I had gotten such a great deal $45 for the case and screen protector. Also the prices I listed in my above post include the holster which is the original OP of this story listed the price without the holster.

Also some negatives I forgot to post: Zagg HD screen protector is that with any screen protector it can be a pain to apply but more so on the EVO LTE as there is a tiny cutout you have to get perfect or some have said that the proximity sensor has issues. Once it's on it will look like crap at first but after a few days the water will evaporate and it will look like it's not even there! As the for Seidio Surface case, aka Best Buy Platinum, as the OP writer wrote there seems to be a serious issue with the camera button when the case is on the phone. With the case on it wa very hard to press the button and the EVO LTE has a two-stage button but I couldn't feel a difference. It almost makes the button unsable in my case so I simply use the onscreen buttons. However this could be a case to case issue as I didn't have any issues with the power or volume buttons. I was actually thrilled to have the new buttons as on my OG EVO Surface case Seidio simply cut out an area around the buttons (you have to press the original OG EVO buttons through the case) which makes them hard to press, while the new version for the EVO LTE has additional rubbery buttons which sit on top of the original EVO LTE buttons.

5th :)

Vfg

u got ripped off go on amazon get everthing cheaperi got the case for $20 screen protector waste of time cause have gorilla glass

Tyler Chappell

I always love the Seidio case reviews you do. I have I believe the Seidio Active for my Thunderbolt with the built-in flimsy plastic kickstand, and it works decently enough but is a little unstable in portrait mode due to my extended battery and the extra weight. Out of all the more rugged cases I've seen for numerous devices, Seidio seems pretty hard to beat.